Eddy's hat trick helps Bulldogs secure spot in state semifinals

CALDWELL — Talk about starting off on the right foot.

A hat trick from sophomore Eoin Eddy allowed Sandpoint boys soccer to roll to a 4-0 victory over Canyon Ridge in its opening game at the 4A state tournament on Thursday.

With the win, the third-seeded Bulldogs advance to the state semifinals and will face No. 2 seed Hillcrest at 12:30 p.m. PST Friday at Brothers Park in Caldwell.

Head coach Tanner French said the field conditions weren't ideal and it wasn't the prettiest game, but the Bulldogs capitalized on their chances to earn their first victory at state since 2017.

"I thought everyone had that same mentality that we had been talking about," he said, "and it was a massive win for the program, but more importantly for these guys to take into tomorrow."

Eddy wasn't in the starting lineup, but he made an immediate impact when he subbed on in the 20th minute. Eddy scored in the 22nd minute with an assist from senior Nolan Angell on a free kick. It was Eddy's first goal of the season.

"What a way to come in," French said.

The Bulldogs earned that free kick off a Canyon Ridge tackle on Jett Longanecker that forced the sophomore captain to be carted off the field with an injury. After Sandpoint scored on the set piece, his teammates made sure to let Longanecker know that tally was for him.

"It was pretty cool," French said. "The guys ran over and pointed ... so that was a pretty special moment."

French doesn't expect Longanecker will return to the pitch at this year's state tournament.

"I assume it's probably the end of the weekend for him, which is a bummer," he said.

Senior Evan Darling broke through for a goal just two minutes into the match on assist from Longanecker. That score set the tone for the rest of the match, French said.

"I don't know what it is, but when a goal hits the post it's like 10 times sweeter," French said about the goal, "and it happened in a fairly dramatic way; it was almost like slow motion. We had been getting scored on early most of the year and now to flip the coin, it was a good feeling."

Eddy scored his two other goals in the 59th and 61st minute. Freshman Henry Barnes assisted on both of them.

This was Eddy's first state tournament match, but it didn't look like it. The sophomore showed no signs of nerves.

"His work rate really helped us out and pretty much was the sole reason for his two goals at the end of the game," French said.

Junior goalkeeper Roman Jiles secured his sixth shutout of the season.

"He played a pretty solid game," French said.

Now the Bulldogs (9-4) will take on Hillcrest (15-2-2) for a spot in the state title game. French is looking forward to the challenge.

"They definitely have a goal scorer and have some talented players, but so did the team that we just played and we have them on our team as well," he said. "No one could have told me Eoin would score three goals today, but it's who shows up and if our guys show up and they show up, then we should have a pretty good match ahead."

First half — 1, Sandpoint, Evan Darling (Jett Longanecker), 2:00. 2, Sandpoint, Eoin Eddy (Nolan Angell), 22:00. Second half — 3, Sandpoint, Eddy (Henry Barnes), 59:00. 4, Sandpoint, Eddy (Barnes), 61:00.

Shots — Sandpoint 11, Canyon Ridge 7.

Saves — unknown.